HB471 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Charles O. Newton
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Timber and forest products, willful removal of timber and other forest products by deception and failure to disclose to owner quantity and type of timber harvested and owner not compensated for all timber designated Class A misdemeanor, Sec. 9-13-60 am'd.; Act 2010-704, 2010 Reg. Sess. am'd.
Summary: HB471 would expand timber theft laws to cover deception and non-disclosure in timber harvesting and make related offenses a Class A misdemeanor.
What This Bill Does
It adds deceptive practices to unlawful actions related to removing timber or other forest products, including taking or transporting timber without the owner's permission. In pay-per-unit purchases, it requires disclosing the actual quantity and type harvested and ensures the owner is paid or compensated for all harvested timber or forest products. Violations would be classified as Class A misdemeanors, with exemptions for electric utilities and their employees acting within the course of their duties.

Who It Affects
Timber or forest product owners/landowners who could be deprived of timber or compensation if someone harvests without permission or deceives them.
Electric utilities and their employees are exempt from these provisions.

Key Provisions
Expands unlawful acts to include deception in removing timber or forest products and deception in pay-per-unit harvest disclosures.
Makes it unlawful to purchase, transport, sell, or dispose of timber obtained in violation of these provisions and to alter weight readings to deceive.
Establishes a Class A misdemeanor penalty for violations and specifies exemptions for electric utilities and their employees acting within their duties.
Sets effective date as the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval; notes the bill is excluded from Amendment 621 local-funds requirements because it defines/changes a crime.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Forestry